The excitement is building as I prepare to head down to Austin, Texas in a couple of weeks for the SXSW Film Festival. Looking over the film schedule always gets my heart racing as the full picture of the experience begins to emerge.
“What struck me most was how so many of the narrative features depict very regional American stories. Even the East Coast or West Coast stories, are very specific to a neighborhood or subculture,” says festival head honcho Matt Dentler. “I think this is a result of more filmmakers writing what they know.” No truer words have ever been spoken, especially for this Philadelphian.
Among the films which have piqued my interest is Explicit Ills, shot right here in Philly by local boy Mark Webber. He produced, wrote, and directed this project featuring Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood) and Lou Taylor Pucci (Thumbsucker, Chumscrubber).
